CONVOY THROUGH THE
CANOPY - de BRAZZA'S MONKEYS (2000)
Click on an indivual
panel below to view a slightly larger version
Acrylic triptych on
illustration board
30" x 20"; 30" x 30"; 30" x 20"
$30,000.00
One
of the many African monkey species known as "guenons",
de Brazza's monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus) inhabits
various types of forest, usually near rivers, from southeastern
Cameroon through the southern Central African Republic and throughout
most of the former Zaire. In this painting a large troop moves
along a massive fig tree, accompanied by long-tailed hornbills
(Tockus albocristatus) and oil palm squirrels (Protoxerus
stangeri). Both of these species habitually travel with monkeys,
eating insects that are disturbed by their movement, such as
the giant cicada (family Cicadidae) in the right panel. The sharp-eyed
hornbills return the favor by making a loud racket if they spot
a crowned eagle, warning the primates of the presence of an important
predator. I'm taking some artistic liberties in this piece by
depicting such a large group of monkeys so close to a small settlement
of humans, the most important monkey predator of all in Central
Africa. Incidental animals in this piece include a crested chameleon
(Chameleo cristatus), bush viper (Atheris hispidus),
black kite (Milvus migrans), great blue touracos (Corythaeola
cristata), gray parrots (Psittacus erithacus), palm
swift (Cypsiurus parvus), red-rumped tinker bird (Pogoniulus
chrysoconus), snowy-crowned robin-chat (Cossypha niveicapilla),
chestnut wattle-eyes (Platysteira castanea) and village
weaver (Ploceus cucullatus).
Limited edition giclee prints of this piece are available
from your nearest authorized Mill Pond Press Dealer. |
|
